The McLaren M21 is an
open-wheelrace car, designed and developed by Australian designer
Ralph Bellamy, and built by British constructor and racing team,
McLaren, to compete in the
European Formula Two Championship in
1972. It was designed to be lower, flatter, and squarer, and more aggressive in stance and design than its predecessor, with the
monocoque being positioned, but still retained the regular front-and-rear
outboard suspension.It was driven by South African
Jody Scheckter. It won one race, at
Crystal Palace in 1972, with Scheckter eventually finishing 8th-place in the championship, scoring 15 points. It suffered numerous mechanical and technical problems, including engine failures and handling problems, which prevented it from winning more races. It was powered by either a
naturally aspirated 1.6 L (98 cu in)
Ford-
Cosworth BDAfour-cylinder engine, tuned to produce 210 hp (160 kW), or a larger bored-out 1.9 L (120 cu in)
Ford-
Cosworth BDF, tuned to develop 271 hp (202 kW).[1][2][3][4]